Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions at Alvernia University

Alvernia graduates earn solidly above the national median for mental health programs, landing in the 74th percentile nationally. That's the good news. The concerning part? They're carrying $54,779 in debt—double what's typical for this field and significantly more than the Pennsylvania state median of $33,375. While Alvernia graduates out-earn the national average, they're actually trailing the state median of $41,503, placing them in just the 40th percentile among Pennsylvania schools.

That debt load translates to real financial pressure. With first-year earnings around $41,000, graduates face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.33—meaning they owe more than a full year's salary. Compare that to University of Pennsylvania graduates in this field who earn $58,000 (though presumably with different debt levels), or even nearby programs where students graduate with half the debt burden. The minimal earnings growth over four years—just 2%—means graduates won't quickly improve their debt-to-income position through salary increases alone.

For Pennsylvania families, this is a tough value proposition. Your child would be taking on significantly more debt than peers at other state programs while earning middle-of-the-pack salaries for the field. Unless Alvernia offers specific career connections or program features that justify the premium, families should closely examine lower-debt alternatives within Pennsylvania that produce similar or better earning outcomes.